At least 11 terrorists were killed by security forces in three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the media affairs wing of the army said on Wednesday.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted between December 17 and 18 in different areas of the province.
It said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted on information about the presence of militants in Tank district of KP.
“During the operation, our forces effectively targeted the Khawarij, resulting in seven Khawarij being sent to hell.”
Another IBO was conducted in the general area of Datta Khel district of North Waziristan during which two terrorists were killed.
In the third encounter in Momand Gut area of Mohmand district, two terrorists were killed in a fierce exchange of fire.
Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants, who were involved in several terrorist attacks against security forces as well as innocent civilians, ISPR said.
Mopping-up operations were launched to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area, as Pakistan’s security forces are determined to wipe out the scourge of terrorism from the country.
According to a report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the third quarter (July-September) of 2024 saw a sharp increase in the number of deaths from terrorist violence and counter-terrorism operations. With an increase of 90%.
A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel and illegals, while 615 others were injured in 328 cases assessed.
About 97 percent of these deaths occurred in KP and Balochistan – the highest percentage in a decade, and more than 92 percent of these incidents of terrorist attacks and security forces operations were recorded in the same provinces.
The total deaths from the three quarters of this year have now surpassed the total recorded for the whole of 2023. The number of deaths rose to at least 1,534 in the first three quarters, compared to 1,523 in 2023.
Meanwhile, terrorist groups continue to reorganize and strengthen their ranks. According to the report, most of the terrorist attacks went unpunished by terrorist or insurgent groups, possibly due to tactics.